1993-W $5 James Madison Bill of Rights

Weight

8.36 g

Diameter

21.6 mm

Thickness

NA

Material

90% Gold, 10% Copper

Shape

Round

Edge Type

Reeded

Technique

Struck

Front design

James Madison reading a piece of paper, presumably the Bill of Rights.

Back design

A quotation from Madison surrounded by a torch, an eagle, and a sprig of laurel.

Year of Minting

1993

Ruler

NA

Mint location

West Point

Mint mark

W

Orientation

Coin alignment

Inscriptions

NA

Context

: The 1993 Bill of Rights $5 gold commemorative coins, unlike all of the previous modern $5 commemorative, did not honor a special anniversary but were, according to Q. David Bowers, the result of the Madison Foundation's attempt to "get in on the commemorative bonanza". There is no date in 1793 that corresponds to any special event in the life of James Madison or the Bill of Rights. Despite this absence of a meaningful connection, the U.S. Mint made specially designed Half Dollars, Silver Dollars, and $5 gold pieces to commemorate...nothing. The obverse of the $5 gold piece features James Madison reading a piece of paper, presumably the Bill of Rights. The reverse shows a quotation from Madison surrounded by a torch, an eagle, and a sprig of laurel. Both Mint State and Proof versions were struck at the West Point Mint and sold at a premium to collectors. The Mint State version, in keeping with the trend of previous years, set a new record low mintage for the time, but is still readily available in superb condition (as are the Proof versions).

Rarity

Rare

Coin type

Modern Gold Commemorative (1984 to Date)

In circulation

NA

Demonetized

No

Marketplace listings

0